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Phrasal verbs "brush up" vs "perk up"

Differences between brush up and perk up

Brush up means to improve or refresh one's knowledge or skills in a particular area, while perk up means to become more lively, alert, or cheerful.

Meanings and Definitions: brush up vs perk up

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Brush up

  • 1Improve a skill quickly.

    She took a two - week course to BRUSH UP her Spanish before she went travelling around South and Central America.

Perk up

  • 1Feel better or happier, make someone feel better or happier.

    She was ill in bed with flu, but she PERKED UP a bit when some friends dropped by.

Usage Examples: brush up, perk up in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

brush up

Example

I need to brush up on my French before our trip to Paris.

Example

She brushes up on her math skills before every exam.

perk up

Example

When she heard the good news, she perked up immediately.

Example

He always perks up when he sees his favorite snack.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Brush up

refresh one's memory

To review or remind oneself of something previously learned or known.

Example

I need to refresh my memory on the rules before taking the test.

polish up

To improve or refine one's skills or abilities in a particular area.

Example

He spent the summer polishing up his language skills before studying abroad.

revisit

To go back to something previously learned or experienced in order to gain a deeper understanding or appreciation.

Example

I want to revisit that book I read last year because I think I missed some important themes.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Perk up

brighten up

To become more cheerful, optimistic, or enthusiastic.

Example

She brightened up when she heard the good news.

liven up

To become more lively, energetic, or interesting.

Example

The party livened up when the music started playing.

pick up

To become more lively, alert, or energetic.

Example

After a cup of coffee, he picked up and was able to focus on his work again.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “brush”

Phrasal Verbs with “up”

Differences in brush up vs perk up: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: brush up or perk up?

Both brush up and perk up are commonly used in everyday conversation, but perk up is slightly more common as it can be used in a wider range of situations.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of brush up and perk up

Both brush up and perk up are informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations. However, brush up may be used in more formal settings such as academic or professional contexts.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of brush up and perk up

The tone of brush up is often neutral or positive, indicating a desire to improve oneself. On the other hand, perk up has a more positive and energetic tone, indicating a change from a dull or tired state to a more lively one.

brush up & perk up: Synonyms and Antonyms

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